Braidwood fires back at deputy police chief suing in federal court

On Aug. 8, Braidwood city officials filed a response to a federal lawsuit from Michelle Soucie. The response answers allegations in Soucie's lawsuit as well as makes affirmative defenses.

[Document provided]

Braidwood city officials deflected sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation allegations from a deputy police chief by accusing her of talking with co-workers openly about sex.

[Document provided]

City officials allege Michelle Soucie named her sex toy after a fellow Braidwood police officer and presented a sex toy to a co-worker at a holiday party in front of other co-workers.

[Document provided]

Those allegations from city officials are part of their response on Aug. 8 to a federal lawsuit filed against them by Soucie, who has alleged Braidwood Police Chief Nick Ficarello sexually harassed and discriminated against her.

[Document provided]

Soucie has also alleged the city retaliated against her when she notified them of Ficarello’s actions.

[Document provided]

In their response, city officials denied Ficarello subjected her to sexual harassment and discrimination and that they retaliated against her.

[Document provided]

City officials argued any injuries or damages claimed by Soucie were “caused by her own conduct” because she’s under a criminal investigation and she “instigated and welcomed discussions about sex.”

[Document provided]

They allege Soucie bragged about “being a Jello wrestling champion in college,” that she did a headstand in a miniskirt after painting her nails at a place of employment, told stories about flashing people at a NASCAR race and going down a slide topless, and told officers whenever she invited people to dinner, she gave them sexual favors.

[Document provided]

“Two instances of [Soucie’s] inappropriate statements/behavior are being omitted from this pleading for the sake of her minor children,” the Aug. 8 response states.

[Document provided]

A message sent to Soucie was not returned Wednesday and attempts to reach her were unsuccessful.

[Document provided]

A call to Braidwood Mayor James Vehrs and the attorneys representing the city in the federal lawsuit was not immediately returned.

[Document provided]

Ficarello said he wasn’t aware of the allegations concerning Soucie’s behavior toward other co-workers. He said the allegations came from city employees after they were interviewed by attorneys who investigated her complaints..

[Document provided]

He said he believes the city’s response to Soucie’s lawsuit “stands on its own.”

[Document provided]

Soucie has filed complaints of harassment and discrimination against the city this year with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Illinois Department of Human Rights. The EEOC’s investigation of Soucie’s charges was inconclusive.

[Document provided]

Ficarello said Soucie has been on paid leave since January and is under an Illinois State Police Investigation over allegations of theft.